"official blood-curdlers." 129 from the jurisdiction of the new ruler would therefore deprive him of all the slave-hunting grounds. As regards the slave-trade, the sale of slaves from one family to another would, of course, continue in the Soudan, where under no circumstances could the convention of 1877 have been enforced. As a consequence of the abandonment of the Soudan, there might be some danger of an increase in the export of such slaves as already existed there.

To meet this danger, increased watchfulness would be necessary on the Red Sea coast and on the southern frontier of Egypt.

In answer to this the message from the foreign office referring to General Gordon's suggestions with regard to the appointment of Zebehr Pasha as governor of Khartum and the despatch of British troops to Berber said: — "Her majesty's government are unable to accept these proposals. If General Gordon is of opinion that the prospect of his early departure diminishes the chance of accomplishing his task, and that by staying at Khartum himself for any length of time which he may judge necessary he would be able to establish a settled government at that place, he is at liberty to remain there.

In the event of his being unable to carry out this suggestion, he should evacuate Khartum, and save that garrison by conducting it himself to Berber without delay Her majesty's government trust that General Gordon will not resign his commission He should act according to his judgment as to the best course to pursue with regard to the steam-vessels and stores."

This was another of the regulation official blood-curdlers, and it may be presumed that Gordon felt it, even with his experiences of the foreign office; but he had other work before him. He was now shut up — "trapped in Khartum" — he and the garrisons; — and though he had not commenced or provoked hostilities, had not, in fact, fired a shot or made a menace, fighting was on hand, and he was not altogether unprepared for it. It would have been difficult to have taken Gordon unaware, for his readiness was equal to his fertility of resource and his professional skill as a commander and a military engineer.

Vol. III. 45